A former music teacher once named the best brass band player in Britain has avoided jail after admitting a string of child sex offences.

Stuart Lingard pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The 38-year-old, of Borrowdale Drive, Marland, Rochdale, was given a three-year supervision order and put on the sex offenders register for five years after being sentenced at Leeds Crown Court.

He was also given a sexual offenders prevention order and must complete a sex offenders treatment programme.

Lingard formerly worked for Rochdale Music Service and at the time of his arrest was band manager and principal cornet player in the renowned Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band – one of the country’s most successful brass bands.

In 2012 he was named best musician at the British Open Brass Band Championship, held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

Lingard was arrested at his home in March last year.

Lingard had taught at Waterhead Academy in Oldham

The offences are said to have taken place in the Rochdale area between 2009 and 2011 while Lingard was working for Rochdale Music Service, where he is believed to have taught in schools across the borough.

Sandra Bowness, assistant director of early help and schools at Rochdale council, said: “These offences only came to light after Stuart Lingard left Rochdale Music Service in 2013. However, we have significantly tightened safeguarding measures since he was employed by the council.”